The Birth Of A Segment: How The RAV4 Created The Compact Crossover CrazeFront 3/4 shot of 1994 Toyota RAV4 in purple parked in desert ToyotaThe 1996 Toyota RAV4 arrived as an automotive anomaly. Side shot of a Toyota RAV4 1994 ToyotaInitial sales were modest, but the RAV4 sparked what would become the compact crossover revolution. Toyota RAV4 1994 driving in front of a modern RAV4 ToyotaThat gamble created today's most competitive automotive battleground. Hybrid Hero: How Toyota’s Electrified RAV4 Became A Game-ChangerA blue Toyota RAV4 Hybrid small hybrid SUV is parked. ToyotaToyota took a bold step in 2016 when it introduced the RAV4 Hybrid, effectively merging its hybrid expertise with America’s favorite crossover.